2010 Kia Cadenza

Neil Vorano discovers the South Korean marque has provided the complete package with a family sedan.

The Kia name may not be known for luxury and quality, but it should be with the Cadenza.

Rarely in this whole car review business are there any surprises left. A Ferrari will be a great car, the only question is how great. A Chevrolet will be a mid-market vehicle, the quibbles being how far the company has come in quality and performance. Perhaps there could be a subtle revelation from the off-road performance of a cushy SUV, or a bit of a shock as to the acceleration of a performance car. But the more vehicles you experience, the more jaded and picky you become. It's kind of sad, really.

But occasionally, there comes a vehicle that blindsides a reviewer, taking one completely unawares as to its overall appeal. One such surprise is the Kia Cadenza. Ah, you may ask why a seemingly boring family sedan can be such a bolt from the blue. But it's not its performance or its looks or its interior that makes the Cadenza such a surprise; rather, it's everything about the car as a complete package, including value. And it's also the fact that Kia isn't exactly on the tip of anyone's tongue when the topics of quality, reliability or luxury pop up. It just doesn't have the brand recognition of the front-runners in the segment, Toyota and Honda - and even its sister company, Hyundai - when it comes to customer awareness, and that's a shame. Because it deserves it.

First of all, take a look at it up close - it's a really handsome set of wheels, especially seen for yourself instead of just from photos. It is easily better looking than the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, its two chief rivals, and the crisp creases, tight panel lines and the neon-like lights surrounding the headlights make it look like a higher-end car than it is. It definitely looks like more than just your average family car.

Inside is more of the same, and more surprises. Get in and close the door, and the seat and steering wheel, which had moved away for an easier exit for the driver, move back to suit the last memory position. A light musical tone plays and a greeting displays on the instrument cluster, welcoming you inside. It sounds like a gimmick, but I found it actually pleasant in a calming sort of way. After a hard day at the office, at least your car is glad to see you.

The interior is clean and well thought out, though Kia didn't really take too many chances with its design. There are different and higher-quality materials in varying colours, including a swanky, piano-black centre cluster for the climate and stereo controls. The piano black is also reflected in the top of the steering wheel; though I would have liked a nicer leather wrap where you actually hold the wheel. Red mood lighting is hidden under the door trim for a more soothing ambience. And while the driver and front passenger have plenty of space, the rear passenger room borders on limousine-like; a tall person can almost stretch out luxuriously without touching the back of the front seats. The quiet ride, even at motorway speeds, also adds to that luxury feeling.

The 3.5L V6 with 286hp provides more than ample power for city driving and on the motorway, with even torque right from a stop. And I managed a worst fuel economy rating of around 12L/100km, with a best being below the 10 mark; a good range for this size of car. Don't get me wrong, the Cadenza isn't perfect. The steering is vague and over-boosted and the car tilts and bobs in tight cornering. This front-wheel-drive car is not a pretender to the BMW 5 Series' throne in handling by any stretch; it's built for a comfortable ride, and for the type of people buying the Cadenza, that's more than enough. Hopefully, though, they can find some comfort in the hard seats, which are a little tough on the backside on longer trips.

This model is fully loaded, with some features not even available on higher-end cars. Options include, but aren't limited to, a satnav system, heated and cooled front and rear leather seats, a reversing camera, an electric-powered sun screen in the rear window that automatically lowers in reverse gear, two sunroofs, dual climate controls, mirrors that automatically retract when the car is turned off, keyless entry and ignition and rear controls for the stereo and climate. Also, for the Middle East market, there is a button on the dash marked "Mekkah" that brings up a compass on the screen pointing in the holy site's direction - very, very thoughtful.

Add to that a reliability record that tops most car makers and a five-year, 100,000km warranty - and all this for just Dh110,000. Honestly, I don't know how Kia makes money on the Cadenza; it would still be a good value with Dh20,000 tacked onto the price. Kia's only downfall is its brand recognition and loyalty, but if it keeps building cars like the Cadenza at these prices, it won't have to worry about that for too much longer. [e-mail]